Senior Policy Officer

Senior Policy Officer
Do you want your work to make a difference for NSW?
Together, we create thriving environments, communities and economies.

• Join a world class organisation and make a difference to the environment
• Thrive in a supportive, collaborative and creative environment
• Environment Officer Class 9 Remuneration starting from $116,059 plus superannuation
• Benefits and flexibility recognising work isn’t all you are passionate about
• Several roles available

The Opportunity

An exciting opportunity awaits you as a Senior Policy Officer, where you can make valuable contributions to the development and execution of policies, projects, and innovative solutions aimed at advancing environmental and human health outcomes for the residents of NSW.

About You

You will serve as a passionate advocate for the EPA, striving to achieve tangible outcomes.
We encourage individuals from various backgrounds, both with and without government experience, to apply. The ideal candidate for this role will possess the following qualities:

• Demonstrated motivation and adaptability, accompanied by outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in policy or economic analysis and development with the ability to identify and contribute to the development and implementation of innovative solutions.
• Ability to develop guidance material, Executive briefing notes, discussion papers and reports
• The capacity to thrive in a dynamic work environment and establish strong professional relationships with diverse government agencies and stakeholders.

About the Team

We are looking for a Senior Policy Officer to contribute to the development of meaningful and ambitious policy to address some of the biggest challenges facing our communities and environment.

These roles are within the EPA’s Strategy and Policy Division, which leads the EPA’s strategic and regulatory policy functions for all issues that fall within the EPA’s remit, including air, water, noise, forests, contaminated land, waste, chemicals, dangerous goods, gas, pesticides and radiation. You will be joining a passionate and high-performing division with a proven track record in delivering on the strategic priorities of the EPA and the NSW Government, who are committed to supporting the EPA’s ambition of being a world class regulator.

Our Circular Economy policy branch leads transformational and strategic projects to support NSW’s transition to a circular economy. A circular economy is where we minimise what we throw away, we use and reuse our resources as efficiently as possible, and we ensure our waste is managed safely to prevent it becoming a problem for future generations. Key priorities for the branch include reviewing critical policy settings like the waste levy that drive resource recovery, planning the phase-out of single-use and unnecessary plastics, supporting product stewardship arrangements to better manage problem waste, and developing new policy proposals to drive more reuse and repair.

Our Climate and Environment Protection policy branch leads policy that is highly visible and strategically important to the EPA or the NSW Government, including climate change, forestry, and legislative reform. This work requires agile and multi-skilled teams capable of delivering on business priorities.

Our Ecologically Sustainable Development policy branch leads strategic policy and regulatory reform, cabinet processes and intergovernmental relations across the EPA for contaminated land, water, noise, chemicals, energy, radiation, dangerous goods and pesticides. The team has a critical role in collaborating across governments and within the NSW Government, communities and our First Nations People to identify emerging issues and to influence and deliver leading edge policy solutions to improve environmental and human health outcomes for the people of NSW.

For more information read the full Role Description – Senior Policy Officer

About us

As the environmental steward and regulator of our State we are committed to a sustainable future.

Our people are proud to play a role in protecting the environment of NSW. We partner with Aboriginal people, industry and the wider community to protect, restore and enhance our diverse ecosystems.

We bring scientific expertise, experience and actions to inspire innovative solutions as we transition our state to a circular economy.
As we respond to urgent current issues, including climate change, we educate and support our stakeholders to create an environmentally healthy future.

Join us on our mission to protect tomorrow together.

Why work for us?

EPA people are energised by our purpose and focussed on the environment and we invite all our team members to:

• Be part of protecting what matters – be purpose led making a meaningful impact to the environment, economy and communities delivering for a better NSW
• Do more and be inspired together – be members of Passionate united teams who protect the environment and each other through care, trust and collaboration.
• Bring who you are and grow with us - we put People first creating a culture where everyone can be themselves, respecting and developing our diverse skills & aspirations and prioritising our safety and wellbeing.
  
  Some additional benefits to working for us include:
  
  
• A competitive salary and leave entitlements, salary packaging to save tax, fitness passport and free & confidential counselling services
• Opportunities and pathways for learning and developing your skills with access to online and face to face training and mentoring
• Flexible work arrangements
• Opportunities to make an impact and help shape the future for our environment
• Interesting and challenging work aligning with personal values that allow you to reach your full potential
• Recognition programs

In our inclusive and accessible workplace, differences are embraced, contributions are valued, and everyone has a sense of connection and belonging. The EPA supports various employee affinity groups, practice flexible working, offer job share and workplace adjustments.
The EPA is an independent statutory authority which sits within the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW)

For more information on the work we do at NSW EPA, go to

To Apply

If excited by the information above, we look forward to receiving your application, including a copy of your resume and cover letter expressing your interest and suitability for the role.

Please also include your preference for the branch or work stream you are most interested in.

Applications close: This role does not have an end date, there are vacancies in the division and we are also looking to create talent pools for future roles.

Should you require further information about the role please contact Juliet Corish at

Good to know

A recruitment pool will be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.

If you are deemed as a recommended candidate following your interview, we will be inviting you to complete various background checks as part of our recruitment process before a final decision is made on the outcome of your application.

Our background checks may include, but are not limited to Reference Checks, National Police Checks, Working with Children and Medical Checks. The background checks will vary depending on the requirements of the role you have applied for and the work and environments you will be working across.

Capability application tool

The capability application tool helps job applicants understand and use the NSW Public Sector Capability Framework when applying for jobs with the NSW government. To access the tool please click here.

Looking for more information or assistance in applying?

Our Diversity team can assist to:

• provide alternative formats to apply
• make adjustments to the recruitment process
• offer information about workplace adjustments and support networks

We encourage people with disability to apply. If you have disability and require more information on adjustments and assistance to apply, contact the Diversity team on (please include reference number).

If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander check out Our Mob on Country to see the work we do and get assistance in applying.